Gueguen Léa, Henry Séverine, Delbos Maëlle, Lemasson Alban, Hausberger Martine
Univ Rennes, Normandie Univ, CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie Animale et Humaine)-UMR 6552, 35000 Rennes, France.
UMR 8002 Integrative Neuroscience and Cognition Center, CNRS, Université Paris-Cité, 75006 Paris, France.
Animals (Basel). 2023 Sep 20;13(18):2970. doi: 10.3390/ani13182970.
(1) Background: Since antiquity, it is considered that sounds influence human emotional states and health. Acoustic enrichment has also been proposed for domestic animals. However, in both humans and animals, effects vary according to the type of sound. Human studies suggest that frequencies, more than melodies, play a key role. Low and high frequencies, music tuning frequency and even EEG slow waves used for 'neurofeedback' produce effects. (2) Methods: We tested the possible impact of such pure frequencies on racehorses' behavior and physiology. A commercial non-audible acoustic stimulus, composed of an array of the above-mentioned frequencies, was broadcasted twice daily and for three weeks to 12 thoroughbred horses in their home stall. (3) Results: The results show a decrease in stereotypic behaviors and other indicators such as yawning or vacuum chewing, an increase in the time spent in recumbent resting and foraging, and better hematological measures during and after the playback phase for 4 of the 10 physiological parameters measured. (4) Conclusions: These results open new lines of research on possible ways of alleviating the stress related to housing and training conditions in racehorses and of improving physical recovery.
（1）背景：自古以来，人们就认为声音会影响人类的情绪状态和健康。也有人提出对家畜进行声学富集。然而，在人类和动物中，声音的影响因声音类型而异。人体研究表明，频率比旋律起着更关键的作用。低频和高频、音乐调音频率甚至用于“神经反馈”的脑电图慢波都会产生影响。（2）方法：我们测试了这些纯频率对赛马行为和生理的可能影响。一种由上述一系列频率组成的商业性不可听声学刺激，每天两次、连续三周播放给12匹纯种马，让它们待在厩舍里。（3）结果：结果显示，刻板行为以及打哈欠或空嚼等其他指标有所减少，躺卧休息和觅食的时间增加，并且在所测量的10项生理参数中的4项上，播放阶段期间及之后的血液学指标有所改善。（4）结论：这些结果为缓解赛马与厩舍和训练条件相关的应激以及改善身体恢复的可能方法开辟了新的研究方向。
